18 sectors · Greater Montréal
Commercial HVAC · Updated October 14, 2026

Commercial air conditioning, ventilation and heating by sector of activityGreater Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore and North Shore. A restaurant does not breathe like a server room.

Temperature, humidity, fresh air, noise, refrigeration: every building has its own priorities and rules. Find your sector, compare, run your diagnostic and see the official numbers. 100 % free on-site quote.

20 °Clegal minimum for seated office work (RSST, Schedule IV)
18–27 °Crecommended server inlet range (ASHRAE TC 9.9)
90 %of eligible costs: the most Hydro-Québec pays on Rate G (Efficient Solutions)
18sectors of activity covered
15.8 · 15.10 · 16RBQ subclasses we hold
5 regionsMontréal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore, North Shore
200+technical articles on our commercial blog
01 · Our commercial HVAC services

Our commercial HVAC services, sector by sector.

Tap a sector: its card shows what matters, its requirement profile, the official benchmark that applies and what goes to a licensed partner.

Open-plan office with large windows and rows of desks
Offices and buildings · Card 3 of 18

Office building

Office comfort is measured desk by desk. We install, repair and maintain high-efficiency systems and look after indoor air quality all year round.

Requirement profile
TemperatureHumidityFresh airNoiseRefrigeration
TemperatureHigh
HumidityHigh
Fresh airCritical
NoiseHigh
RefrigerationStandard
What matters
  • Rooms too hot or too cold: balancing and zoning
  • Fresh air matched to the number of occupants
  • Winter humidity: at least 20 % RH in offices built after 1979
20 °C
Minimum temperature for light seated work, such as office workSource: RSST, s. 117 and Schedule IV
Common equipment
Rooftop unitVRFDucted unitERV / HRV
Read on our blog
See the page Condo and co-ownership
See the page Server room
See the page Office building
See the page Gym and recreation centre
See the page Restaurant and cafeteria
See the page School and university
See the page Hotel and motel
See the page Retail store
See the page Convenience store
See the page Warehouse and storage facility
See the page Public transit hub
See the page Manufacturing plant and industrial site
See the page Shopping centre
See the page Hospital and healthcare facility
See the page Cold storage and refrigerated warehouse
See the page Museum and library
See the page Farm facility
See the page Theatre and concert hall
02 · Quick diagnostic

Three questions. An HVAC plan that follows the rules.

Your sector, your project, your space. The plan builds live, with the rules, deadlines and Hydro-Québec support that apply. No email address needed.

Step 1 of 3

Your plan shows up here. It updates as soon as you pick a sector, then sharpens with every answer.
03 · Compare sectors

Sort by what concerns you. The most demanding sector rises to the top.

Three bars: critical. Two: high. One: standard. Tap “Compare” on two sectors to overlay their profiles.

Levels: AirGreen field reading, to frame the discussion. The numbered obligations are in the next section.
SectorCompare
Condo and co-ownershipOffices and buildingsHighStandardHighCriticalStandard
Server roomOffices and buildingsCriticalCriticalStandardStandardCritical
Office buildingOffices and buildingsHighHighCriticalHighStandard
Gym and recreation centreHospitality, leisure and cultureHighCriticalCriticalStandardStandard
Restaurant and cafeteriaRetail and food serviceHighHighCriticalHighCritical
School and universityInstitutions and public servicesHighHighCriticalHighStandard
Hotel and motelHospitality, leisure and cultureHighHighHighCriticalStandard
Retail storeRetail and food serviceHighHighHighStandardStandard
Convenience storeRetail and food serviceHighStandardStandardStandardCritical
Warehouse and storage facilityIndustrial, storage and farmHighHighHighStandardHigh
Public transit hubInstitutions and public servicesHighStandardCriticalHighStandard
Manufacturing plant and industrial siteIndustrial, storage and farmHighHighCriticalHighStandard
Shopping centreRetail and food serviceHighHighCriticalStandardStandard
Hospital and healthcare facilityInstitutions and public servicesCriticalCriticalCriticalHighStandard
Cold storage and refrigerated warehouseIndustrial, storage and farmCriticalHighStandardStandardCritical
Museum and libraryHospitality, leisure and cultureCriticalCriticalHighHighStandard
Farm facilityIndustrial, storage and farmHighCriticalCriticalStandardHigh
Theatre and concert hallHospitality, leisure and cultureHighHighCriticalCriticalStandard
04 · Official benchmarks

The numbers the texts require or recommend, on one scale.

Server room, air inlet18 to 27 °C recommended
ASHRAE TC 9.9, classes A1 to A4 (2021)
Museum and library collections15 to 25 °C
Canadian Conservation Institute
Light seated work (office)20 °C minimum
RSST, Schedule IV
Light standing work (retail)17 °C minimum
RSST, Schedule IV
Medium standing work (warehouse)16 °C minimum
RSST, Schedule IV
Heavy standing work (plant)12 °C minimum
RSST, Schedule IV

Bars that fade to the right are minimums: the law sets no maximum workplace temperature.

Minimum temperatures at a fixed workstation

Type of workMinimum
Light seated work: office, reading, writing20 °C
Light physical seated work19 °C
Light standing work17 °C
Medium standing work16 °C
Heavy standing work12 °C

RSST, s. 117 and Schedule IV

05 · Your obligations and deadlines

Five rules that apply almost everywhere. Two dates not to miss.

Tap a card for details. Enter the date of the last visit: we count the days from today.

Ventilation inspection

Enter a date

At least once a year in any mechanically ventilated workplace.

RSST, s. 104

Leak test, 20 kW and up

Enter a date

Once a year; never more than 15 months between two tests.

Québec Halocarbons Regulation, s. 22

06 · Who does what

Our licences, on a real building. The rest goes to a licensed partner.

Tap a numbered point. Every piece of equipment falls under a specific RBQ subclass.

Upper floorGround floor
AirGreen licence · 15.10 · 15.8

1 · Rooftop unit

Cools and heats a full floor, connected to the ducts. Installation, maintenance and retrofit.

AirGreen licence15.8Ventilation

Air distribution for ventilation, exhaust, make-up air and air conditioning, ductwork included.

AirGreen licence15.10Refrigeration

Any refrigeration system, including air conditioning, heat pumps, processes and food storage.

AirGreen licence16Electrical

Power supply and electrical hook-up of the equipment we install.

Licensed partner
  • Natural gas15.2
  • Oil15.3
  • Hot water and boilers15.4
  • Plumbing15.5
  • Propane15.6
07 · Costs and grants

What electricity costs you, and who can pay part of the work.

Enter your consumption and demand, as shown on your bill. Hydro-Québec rates in effect since April 1, 2026.

Before taxes. Simplified: does not include minimum billing demand, credits or rate options.

Hydro-Québec business rates as of April 1, 2026

ComponentRate GRate M
Fixed charge$15.426 / month—
Energy, first block12.388 ¢ / kWh (15,090 kWh)6.292 ¢ / kWh (210,000 kWh)
Energy, remainder9.534 ¢ / kWh4.666 ¢ / kWh
Demand$22.071 / kW above 50 kW$18.242 / kW
Rate G · indicative
per month, before taxes
Every 1,000 kWh saved is worth
at the price of the last energy block used
In effect · March 2026 guides90 %Small businesses · Rate G or Flex G

Up to 90 % of eligible costs, minimum support of $500.

See the small business stream
In effect · March 2026 guides75 %Medium and large businesses · G9, M, L, LG

Up to 75 % of eligible costs. Custom option up to $5M per project.

See the medium and large business stream

Traps to avoid

Heat pumpsSplit heat pumps must be ENERGY STAR certified. AHRI certification alone no longer qualifies.
LogisVertThis program is for residential customers, not commercial premises.
ÉcoPerformanceThe building recommissioning (RCx) stream stopped taking applications on September 1, 2026.
All grants
08 · Projects

Offices, stores, rooftops. Not catalogue pictures.

11 recent commercial jobs

By building type
Offices and administrative buildings4
Retail3
Mixed-use and multi-tenant2
Industrial building1
Condo1
By city
Laval5
Longueuil3
Montréal3
LavalOffices and administrative buildings

Preventive maintenance of a rooftop unit

LavalOffices and administrative buildings

Retrofit of an Allied rooftop unit

LavalRetail

Duct repair and securing

LongueuilMixed-use and multi-tenant

Retrofit of a central ventilation system

MontréalIndustrial building

Complete rooftop unit retrofit

MontréalRetail

Ventilation maintenance and inspection

LongueuilOffices and administrative buildings

Replacement of a Carrier heat pump

LavalMixed-use and multi-tenant

Preventive maintenance of a ThermoPlus system

LavalCondo

Replacement of an end-of-life condenser

MontréalRetail

Retrofit of a centralized ventilation system

LongueuilOffices and administrative buildings

Retrofit of a ducted system

See all our commercial projects
09 · Pitfalls

Six mistakes we often see in commercial buildings.

ScheduleCooling an empty space

With no programmed schedule, the unit cools evenings and weekends for nobody.

Make-up airExhausting without replacing

Exhausted air with no make-up air puts the space under negative pressure: heavy doors, odours, cold drafts.

ENERGY STARLosing the grant

A split heat pump without ENERGY STAR certification no longer qualifies for Efficient Solutions.

CertificateAn unqualified technician

Installing, repairing or recharging a halocarbon system requires the certificate set out in the regulation.

5 yearsA lost service log

The service log of a halocarbon system must be kept for 5 years. The owner gets a copy.

Too bigOversizing the unit

An oversized unit starts and stops constantly: humidity stays, wear speeds up.

10 · Frequently asked questions

Short answers to the questions we hear most.

My space has several uses. Which sector should I pick?

Start with the main use, then look at the neighbouring sectors: a store with a warehouse in the back falls under both. During the visit, the estimator treats each zone according to how it is really used.

What temperature does the law require at work?

The RSST sets minimums by effort: 20 °C for light seated work, 17 °C for light standing work, 16 °C for medium standing work and 12 °C for heavy standing work. It sets no maximum: heat is regulated as heat stress.

How often must ventilation be inspected?

At least once a year. Section 104 of the RSST requires mechanical ventilation systems to be inspected and adjusted every year, with filters maintained or replaced.

What are the obligations for a commercial refrigeration system?

For 20 kW and up: a leak test at least once a year, no more than 15 months apart. Only a certificate holder may install, repair, charge or drain the unit, and the service log is kept for 5 years.

Are there grants for a store or offices?

Yes. Hydro-Québec’s Efficient Solutions covers up to 90 % of eligible costs for small businesses (Rate G or Flex G) and up to 75 % for medium and large ones. LogisVert is for residential customers.

Do you do gas, oil or boiler work?

No. Our licences cover ventilation (15.8), refrigeration and air conditioning (15.10) and electrical work (16). Gas (15.2), oil (15.3) and hot-water heating (15.4) go to a contractor licensed in those subclasses.

Which construction code applies to my work?

The 2020 NBC as amended for Québec has been in force since April 17, 2025. The 2015 edition can still be used for work started before October 17, 2027.

Rate G or Rate M: which one applies to me?

Rate G is for accounts whose minimum billing demand is under 65 kW. Rate M applies from 50 kW of demand. Your Hydro-Québec bill shows your rate.

How much fresh air does an office need?

Using the ASHRAE 62.1 office method: 2.5 L/s per person plus 0.3 L/s per square metre. For 25 people in 400 m², that is about 183 L/s, or roughly 387 cfm. The final airflow is set at design.

Are the refrigerant rules changing?

Yes. Federally, commercial stand-alone refrigeration units have been capped at a GWP of 1,400 (medium temperature) or 1,500 (low temperature) since 2020, centralized systems and condensing units at 2,200, and chillers at 750 since 2025. The federal regulation sets no cap for comfort air conditioning.

Does the online diagnostic replace a visit?

No. It gives you the rules and benchmarks for your sector. Equipment choice and sizing are done on site, free of charge, by an AirGreen estimator.

Which regions do you serve?

Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore and the North Shore. Our showroom is in Boucherville, at 1370 rue Joliot-Curie, unit 712.

AirGreen · Commercial

One space, one visit, one clear plan.

An AirGreen estimator visits your building, looks at what is in place and gives you a written quote. The on-site estimate is 100 % free.

RBQ 5645-9605-0115.8, 15.10 and 16
Free estimateon site, in 5 regions
ShowroomBoucherville, unit 712
$5M insurancecivil liability

Sources checked on October 14, 2026.

  • Regulation respecting occupational health and safety (RSST), chapter S-2.1, r. 13, s. 104, 111, 117 to 121 and Schedules III and IV — LégisQuébec, current to June 1, 2026.
  • Québec Halocarbons Regulation, chapter Q-2, r. 29, s. 22, 43, 44, 59 and 60 — LégisQuébec, current to June 1, 2026.
  • Ozone-depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations, SOR/2016-137, Schedule 1.1 — current to September 21, 2026.
  • ASHRAE TC 9.9, Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments, 5th edition (2021). ANSI/ASHRAE 62.1, Table 6.2.2.1, office space (addendum s to 62.1-2016, 2019).
  • Canadian Conservation Institute, Agents of deterioration: incorrect relative humidity and temperature (2021 and 2018). CSA Z317.2:24, October 31, 2024.
  • RBQ, Schedule II of the Regulation respecting the professional qualification of contractors (2024); notice of August 26, 2026 on the Construction Code transition period.
  • Hydro-Québec, Electricity rates as of April 1, 2026 and Efficient Solutions participation guides, March 2026. Gouvernement du Québec, ÉcoPerformance page of September 16, 2026.

Amounts and airflows shown are estimates; only the responsible organizations confirm the support granted, and only Hydro-Québec issues your bill.

Information intéressante pour vos travaux de Climatisation, Ventilation & Chauffage (CVC) Commercial